D’Backs, Justin Upton Finalize Multiyear Deal

Justin Upton and the Diamondbacks finalized a six-year deal that will pay the outfielder $51.25MM. The extension, which the club is expected to announce tomorrow, begins with the 2010 season and runs through 2015. SI's Jon Heyman tweeted the year-by-year salary breakdown: $20.75MM for Upton's three arbitration years, and over $14MM for each free agent year. Each year Upton can also choose four teams to which he cannot be traded.

Though he's only 22, Upton had a breakout 2009 with a .300/.366/.532 line. Such production at that age brings Hall of Fame comparisons. Upton would have been arbitration-eligible after the 2010 season, so this deal buys out two free agent seasons.

A six-year deal in the $50MM range would be a bargain for the D'Backs. Miguel Cabrera, for example, will be paid about $74MM for the same slice of his career. Andruw Jones made $57.4MM, and his extension was signed nine years ago. Nick Markakis, though, will earn about $47MM for the same portion of his career.

2008 was somewhat of a Cinderella season, but staying competitive in the AL east with a payroll about 1/3 of the Yankees WHILE still having a top 5 farm system…never count the rays out. Do I detect a hint of jealousy?

I agree with this. The Rays are one of the best run organizations in the MLB. I’d say second to the other Florida team, the Marlins, actually. I can’t wait until Jennings cements a spot in the majors. That outfield is scary athletic.

6/50 for a player of Upton’s caliber is phenomenal, especially considering that his best years are yet to come. Great deal for Arizona… if I’d heard Upton was going to sign a six-year deal, I’d have thought $72MM or so. $50MM is great news for Arizona fans, while six years of Upton in the NL West is bad news for Dodger, Giant, Padre, and Rox fans.

Uh, yeah. I’d imagine so. They finished “wayyyyy” behind those teams because they were missing their ace (who is worth from 6-7 WAR a year), their most consistent hitter (worth 3.5 WAR), had no production out of first base (fixed with LaRoche; worth about 2.5 WAR), and with the bullpen blowing leads constantly (seriously, if you watched them on a daily basis, it was sad. It happened almost every 8th inning; most likely fixed with a more experienced Gutierrez). We aren’t a last place caliber team, regardless of last year’s record.

Call me a homer if you want, but my opinion is that we are a pretty good team. Not a contender for the division, but definitely the wild card, especially if Young or Drew rebound.

Andrew Jones did not sign a multi-year deal until his 3rd year of arbitration; Cabrera signed his deal in his 3rd year of arbitration; Markakis signed his deal in his 1st year of arbitration. You need to compare apples to apples. Upton is a 2+, his deal compares to other 2+ deals like Hanley Ramirez $70 over 6; David Wright $55 over 6; and Dustin Pedroia’s joke at $40.5 over 6.

Happy day for D-Back fans. Sounds like the Reynolds extension talks are moving along and you lock up Upton.If Chris Young bounces back along with Conor Jackson and Stephen Drew breaks out, you’ll have an extremely potent offense. With Webb, Haren, and Jackson, you turn into one of the better teams in the NL.